Tuesday, 27 August 2019

Is Medical Assisting School Worth It?

Something we’re asked a lot is whether or not medical school is “worth it.” While we can’t answer the question for you, we can provide you with the information needed to answer that question for yourself. 

Know the Facts

It’s important to understand the scope of medical assisting, so you can understand what it is and is not. When you get your medical assisting degree, you are prepared to work in both the clinical and administrative capacity in a healthcare setting.  

Provide Patient Care

As a medical assistant, you will serve as the primary point of contact between a patient and his or her healthcare provider. From providing hands-on patient care and conducting laboratory work to handling follow-up communication, medical assistants play a key role in the overall patient experience. 

Join a Growing Industry 

In addition to providing patient care, graduating with a medical assisting certificate allows you to become part of a growing industry. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 29% growth rate by 2026, you can enjoy job security that other industries can’t offer. More, this demand opens up job opportunities in various work environments. From hospitals and physicians’ offices to outpatient facilities and more, medical assistants have the freedom to choose an employment setting that best suits their needs. 

Earn a Living

In addition to projected industry-wide growth, medical assistants earned an average salary of $33,610 in May 2018. The highest 10 percent earned more than $47,250, leaving room for salary growth. 

Make a Change

If you want to make a difference in patient care while earning a living, consider a medical assisting certificate from Northwestern College.

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Monday, 19 August 2019

What jobs are in Health Information Technology?

The healthcare industry has evolved to meet the demands of today’s patient care needs. Amongst the areas affected by these changes is the health information technology industry. The reason? One of the biggest drivers behind recent changes has been the industry-wide transition to the electronic medical record (EMR), sometimes called an electronic health record (EHR). 

How the EMR Shaped Jobs in Health Information Technology

To understand the potential this industry has, you must first familiarize yourself with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, something many people don’t even know by name, has left a global footprint. As part of the Act, public and private healthcare providers in the United States were required to integrate EMRs in 2014. Motivated by the desire to maintain existing Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement levels, institutions everywhere have adopted the new technology and demonstrated a “meaningful use” of it. Consequently, clinicians, healthcare administrators, and patients alike have seen the benefits of a more standardized system. 

Where a Health Information Technology Degree Comes into Play

With everyone from top research hospitals to grassroots-level, nonprofit health clinics relying on electronic record keeping, there is an exponential demand for individuals who are trained in the management of EMRs and overall health data. When you secure your health information technology certification, you’re able to meet the needs of this demand. 

Putting Skills to Work 

Once you receive an education and training, you’ll have the knowledge to:

  • Apply medical terminology
  • Code patient records according to standard classifications
  • Comply by medical law and ethical standards
  • Manage health data and statistics
  • Work across departments and health information systems

Picking Your Path: Jobs in Health Information Technology 

From entry- to executive-level roles, there is a career for nearly any qualified candidate. When it comes to securing a health information technology job, it comes down to education, training, and personal interests. 

A common career choice is the role of a health information technology specialist. These individuals are responsible for managing a healthcare facility’s computer systems and software. 

Other industry roles include: 

  • Data analyst 
  • Medical coder
  • Medical coding compliance auditor 
  • Medical records abstractor
  • Medical research analyst

Make a Difference

With the health information technology industry playing a critical role in overall healthcare, a health information technology degree is your chance to make a difference. The good news? Northwestern College can help. 

Speak with a specialist about our associate and bachelor’s programs in health information technology and health information management.

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Tuesday, 6 August 2019

What’s the Best Nursing Degree to Get?

Nursing degree

 

What’s the Best Nursing Degree to Get?

With the nursing industry booming, we get a lot of questions about the best nursing degree to pursue. Because going into nursing is already such a personal choice, we cannot answer that question for you. However, we can lay out some key distinctions that may help you choose the education that best satisfies your future career needs.

Overview of Education-based Nursing Careers

Certificate Programs

Did you know that you don’t have to have a college degree to work in the field of nursing? Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are able to provide patient care without a college education. Both careers require the completion of a state-approved diploma or certificate program, but the requirements differ for each occupation. Generally, LPN programs last longer and demand a more in-depth knowledge of nursing. Consequently, LNPs make a salary that’s approximately $16,000/year more than their CNA counterparts.

Associate Degree

By completing a more comprehensive program, those with an associate’s in nursing are eligible to work as a Registered Nurse (RN). But like CNA and LPNs, they must first pass a state-administered exam. In 2018, the average salary for RNs was $71,000.

The good news is that once you have this foundation in nursing, you can continue your education with various certifications in specialty areas. Doing so typically opens up more advanced career opportunities. It’s also not unusual for RNs who have an associate to continue their education at some point, securing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

BSN

Securing a BSN also makes you eligible to work as an RN. However, a big difference is that those who pursue this advanced education are sometimes rewarded with more responsibility and higher salaries.

While you’re able to continue your nursing education through a master’s or a doctoral degree in nursing, certificate, associate and BSN programs are the most common educational paths.

Learn More

To launch your nursing career with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing, contact a Northwestern College representative today.

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